The Top 15 Golden Boy Contenders – Ranked

July 15, 2025 Oliver Obel

The Golden Boy award, established in 2003, honours the best young footballer in Europe under the age of 21. With each year bringing new breakout stars, the 2025 edition is particularly exciting, featuring a diverse range of talents from all across the continent. Based on their performances during the 2024/25 season, here are the top 15 contenders for this year’s prestigious honour—ranked in reverse order.

15. Kobbie Mainoo – Manchester United

Kobbie Mainoo has been seen as a long-term midfield cornerstone for Manchester United. However, injury setbacks and tactical uncertainties under new management have slowed his development, making a Golden Boy win this year unlikely despite his undeniable talent.

14. Claudio Echeverri – Manchester City

Claudio Echeverri only joined Manchester City in January 2025, after impressing with River Plate and Argentina at youth level. His potential is clear, especially after scoring a hat-trick against Brazil in the U17 World Cup, but he has yet to make a real impact in Europe.

13. Geovany Quenda – Sporting

Geovany Quenda is a dynamic winger with pace and flair, already secured by Chelsea for a 2026 move. His performances at Sporting have drawn attention across Europe, though his team’s inconsistency might limit his chances this year.

12. Arda Güler – Real Madrid

Arda Guler — Photo: Maciej Rogowski Photo / Shutterstock.com

Arda Güler is a technically gifted midfielder with a powerful shot and great vision. Although Real Madrid fans are excited about his future, regular minutes have been hard to come by in a squad filled with attacking stars.

11. Jorrel Hato – Ajax

Jorrel Hato has become a key part of Ajax’s defence, showing maturity and composure beyond his age. While he may not be the frontrunner, his versatility and pedigree from Ajax’s academy keep him firmly in the conversation.

10. Endrick – Real Madrid

Endrick arrived in Europe with immense hype, having already established himself at Palmeiras. Although his first months at Real Madrid have been underwhelming compared to expectations, his long-term potential remains sky-high.

9. Eliesse Ben Seghir – Monaco

Eliesse Ben Seghir has steadily grown in influence at Monaco, with strong contributions in Ligue 1 this season. Now a Moroccan international, he’s part of a proud tradition of exciting attackers developed by the club.

8. Tom Bischof – Hoffenheim

Tom Bischof has been one of the Bundesliga’s most consistent midfielders during the 2024/25 campaign. His upcoming move to Bayern Munich reflects his growing stature, and a bigger stage could elevate his Golden Boy profile further.

7. Kenan Yildiz – Juventus

Kenan Yildiz has become a regular for both Juventus and the Turkish national team. His creativity and consistency make him one of the most exciting young attackers in Serie A.

6. Warren Zaire-Emery – Paris Saint-Germain

Warren Zaire-Emery has played over 100 senior games for PSG despite being just 19. His maturity, versatility, and leadership in midfield make him a strong candidate for the award, especially if PSG’s success continues.

5. Ethan Nwaneri – Arsenal

Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest-ever Premier League debutant in 2022 and is now a key player for Arsenal. His Champions League performances, particularly against PSV, showed just how high his ceiling is.

4. Dean Huijsen – Real Madrid

Dean Huijsen's development has accelerated rapidly after moves from Juventus to Roma and then Real Madrid. A composed, ball-playing centre-back, he’s gained a lot of attention following his strong 2024/25 season.

3. Pau Cubarsi – Barcelona

Pau Cubarsi has emerged as a defensive revelation for Barcelona, displaying an elite passing range and calmness rare for his age. Aside from one Champions League red card, his performances have been nearly flawless under high pressure.

2. Myles Lewis-Skelly – Arsenal

Myles Lewis-Skelly has arguably been Arsenal’s breakout star of the season, establishing himself in the first team and scoring on his England debut. His standout Champions League display against Real Madrid solidified his place as one of Europe’s top young prospects.

1. Desire Doue – Paris Saint-Germain

Desire Doue has been instrumental in PSG’s transition to a younger, more cohesive side. A key contributor during their Champions League-winning campaign, Doue has risen to the top of the rankings and is a strong favourite for the 2025 Golden Boy award.